Gardner-Webb's Newsome collects Big South weekly honor

Tashan Newsome

By Special to The Star

Published: Monday, February 4, 2013 at 04:44 PM.

Gardner-Webb redshirt senior Tashan Newsome has been named Big South Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week.

Newsome provided a major lift for the Runnin’ Bulldogs (13-10, 5-4 Big South) in two games last week, averaging 24.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in a pair of wins — extending Gardner-Webb’s current winning streak to three games, and pushing Gardner-Webb to its highest win total since 2008-2009.

“Congratulations to Tashan on this honor,” said Gardner-Webb head coach Chris Holtmann. “As he would be the first to admit, this also is an honor for his teammates, who performed very well this past week on the road and at home.

“His leadership these past couple of weeks stands out to me more than anything else. With so much of this season left to play, I know he is motivated to continue to work to improve and grow as a team.”

Against league leader Charleston Southern on Wednesday, Newsome posted his first double-double of the season, netting 22 points and corralling 10 rebounds in a 74-73 overtime victory that snapped the Bucs’ eight-game win streak. His jumper through contact with 29.5 seconds left in overtime and ensuing free throw proved to be the game-winner. Newsome also pulled down and secured the game’s final rebound just before the horn to close out the win.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound guard made 10-of-18 shots against CSU, including a 3-pointer, and was also a stalwart on the defensive end of the court. Seven of his 10 rebounds came off the defensive backboard.

In Saturday’s 76-65 win over Longood, Newsome scored 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting, grabbed five rebounds and dished off four assists. With Gardner-Webb trailing just before halftime, Newsome stormed on a personal 7-0 run to give the Runnin’ Bulldogs a 38-35 edge at intermission.

Gardner-Webb redshirt senior Tashan Newsome has been named Big South Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Week.

Newsome provided a major lift for the Runnin’ Bulldogs (13-10, 5-4 Big South) in two games last week, averaging 24.0 points, 7.5 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game in a pair of wins — extending Gardner-Webb’s current winning streak to three games, and pushing Gardner-Webb to its highest win total since 2008-2009.

“Congratulations to Tashan on this honor,” said Gardner-Webb head coach Chris Holtmann. “As he would be the first to admit, this also is an honor for his teammates, who performed very well this past week on the road and at home.

“His leadership these past couple of weeks stands out to me more than anything else. With so much of this season left to play, I know he is motivated to continue to work to improve and grow as a team.”

Against league leader Charleston Southern on Wednesday, Newsome posted his first double-double of the season, netting 22 points and corralling 10 rebounds in a 74-73 overtime victory that snapped the Bucs’ eight-game win streak. His jumper through contact with 29.5 seconds left in overtime and ensuing free throw proved to be the game-winner. Newsome also pulled down and secured the game’s final rebound just before the horn to close out the win.

The 6-foot-3, 200-pound guard made 10-of-18 shots against CSU, including a 3-pointer, and was also a stalwart on the defensive end of the court. Seven of his 10 rebounds came off the defensive backboard.

In Saturday’s 76-65 win over Longood, Newsome scored 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting, grabbed five rebounds and dished off four assists. With Gardner-Webb trailing just before halftime, Newsome stormed on a personal 7-0 run to give the Runnin’ Bulldogs a 38-35 edge at intermission.

He then sparked a 22-4 run in the second half that put the game away. Newsome made his lone 3-point attempt in the game and was a strong 7-of-9 from the free throw line.

For the week, Newsome connected on 61.3 percent of his field goal attempts (19-of-31), 80.0 percent of his free throws (8-of-10) and half of his 3-point shots (2-of-4).

He is Gardner-Webb’s top scorer (14.3 ppg) and ranks second on the team in rebounds (5.5 rpg) and assists (2.7 apg) this season. In league games, Newsome has been even better, averaging 17.4 points, 5.8 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game.

The Runnin’ Bulldogs will be back in action on Wednesday, traveling to face Presbyterian at 7 p.m. in Clinton, S.C.